Semiconductor apparatus and probe test method thereof

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of a semiconductor apparatus and related methods are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor apparatus may include a chip, scribe lanes disposed around the chip, and a probe test logic circuit for conducting a probe test on the chip. The probe test logic circuit is disposed on a portion of the scribe lanes.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) toKorean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0131791, filed on Dec. 28, 2009,in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety as if set forth in full.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to semiconductorapparatuses and related methods. In particular, certain exemplaryembodiments relate to a semiconductor apparatus and a probe test methodthereof.

2. Related Art

A semiconductor apparatus, in particular, a memory apparatus has amemory core for storing data. Logic circuits for ensuring the normaloperation of the semiconductor apparatus and for performing tests aregenerally disposed in a peripheral region of the memory core. The logiccircuits for performing tests may include a probe test logic circuit formeasuring the internal voltage levels or for performing a probe test todetect a defective cell. The probe test is generally performed when asemiconductor chip is in a wafer form.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the layout of a chip of aconventional semiconductor apparatus. In the chip shown in FIG. 1, aprobe test logic circuit 15 for performing a probe test of the chip isdisposed in a peripheral region PERI of the chip. Logic circuits 11, 12,13 and 14 for ensuring the normal operation of the semiconductorapparatus are also disposed in the peripheral region PERI of the chip.Peripheral region PERI is surrounded by a memory core comprised of oneor more memory banks BANK0 through BANK7, and the edge regions of thechip serve as scribe lanes Scribe Lane. After the probe test of the chipis performed on the wafer, a semiconductor apparatus can be manufacturedby cutting the wafer along the scribe lanes in the edge regions andpackaging the chip.

A probe test logic circuit for performing the probe test may be uselessexcept when the chip is tested on the wafer. However, since the probetest logic circuit is conventionally disposed in the peripheral regionPERI where a logic circuit for ensuring the normal operation of thesemiconductor apparatus and bondings of pads are located, the probe testlogic circuit could not be easily removed.

Meanwhile, a three-dimensional semiconductor apparatus that stacks andpackages a plurality of chips in a single package has been recentlydeveloped to enhance the degree of integration of a semiconductorapparatus. Because two or more chips are vertically stacked, such athree-dimensional semiconductor apparatus can attain an increased degreeof integration in the same amount of space. Moreover, a Through SiliconVia (TSV) method, which forms a silicon via through a plurality ofvertically stacked chips to electrically connect one another, has beenin use recently. Since a semiconductor apparatus that uses the TSVmethod vertically passes through and electrically connects the stackedchips, the packaging area of the semiconductor apparatus can beefficiently decreased when compared to a semiconductor apparatus thatelectrically connects each of the chips using bonding wires disposed inthe edges of the chips.

When TSVs are used, although a single semiconductor apparatus can beformed by stacking a plurality of chips having the same structure, asingle semiconductor apparatus is generally composed of one main chipfor controlling the entire operation of the semiconductor apparatus anda plurality of slave chips for storing data. The main chip, as shown inFIG. 1, may include both a logic circuit and a pad disposed in theperipheral region PERI of the chip. The main chip may further include amemory core. For the slave chip, it may be sufficient to include only amemory core, a logic circuit for repair, and a logic circuit for TSVconnection.

In order to improve the price competitiveness of a semiconductorapparatus, it may be important to increase the number of chips that aredisposed on a single wafer. However, manufacturing the slave chipsaccording to the above-mentioned conventional methods may not permitsuch an increase in the total number of chips on a wafer and thereforeis economically inefficient.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, various exemplary embodiments of the invention may providesemiconductor apparatuses and/or methods that may improve the economicefficiency and thereby price competitiveness of a semiconductorapparatus. In particular, certain exemplary embodiments may providesemiconductor apparatuses and related methods that can allow a logiccircuit for conducting a probe test to be removed after completing theprobe test, which in turn may increase the wafer space available forplacing additional number of chips.

To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purposes of theinvention, as embodied and broadly described herein, one exemplaryaspect of the invention may provide a semiconductor apparatus comprisinga chip, scribe lanes disposed around the chip, and a probe test logiccircuit for conducting a probe test on the chip. According to anotheraspect, the probe test logic circuit may be disposed on a portion of thescribe lanes.

According to some exemplary aspects, a semiconductor apparatus maycomprise a first chip, a second chip, a scribe lane disposed between thefirst and second chips, and a probe test logic circuit for probe testingboth the first and second chips. The probe test logic circuit may bedisposed on the scribe lane. Further, the scribe lane and the probe testlogic circuit disposed on the scribe lane may be removed after the probetests are completed.

In another exemplary aspect, a semiconductor apparatus may comprise achip on a wafer, a scribe lane disposed on the wafer adjacent the chipfor separating the chip from a neighboring chip on the wafer, and alogic circuit for conducting a probe test on the chip. The logic circuitmay be disposed on the scribe lane such that the logic circuit isremoved when the wafer is cut along the scribe lane to separate the chipfrom the neighboring chip.

In still another exemplary aspect, a probe test method for asemiconductor apparatus may comprise: providing a semiconductorapparatus comprising a first chip and a second chip sharing a probe testlogic circuit; performing a probe test of the first chip in response toa first chip select signal; performing a probe test of the second chipin response to a second chip select signal; repairing the first chipdepending upon a probe test result of the first chip; repairing thesecond chip depending upon a probe test result of the second chip; andremoving the probe test logic circuit.

Another exemplary aspect of the invention may provide a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor apparatus. The method may comprise:providing a first chip and a second chip on a wafer; providing a logiccircuit for conducting a probe test on the first chip and the secondchip, where the logic circuit is disposed on a scribe lane between thefirst chip and the second chip; performing probe tests on the first andsecond chips using the logic circuit; and cutting the wafer along thescribe lane to separate the first and second chips from one another. Inan exemplary aspect, the logic circuit may be removed when the wafer iscut along the scribe lane.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained bymeans of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate various embodiments consistentwith the invention and, together with the description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the layout of a chip of aconventional semiconductor apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary layout of a chip ofa semiconductor apparatus consistent with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating another exemplary layout of achip of a semiconductor apparatus consistent with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart explaining an exemplary probe test method of asemiconductor apparatus consistent with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodimentsconsistent with the present disclosure, examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the samereference characters will be used throughout the drawings to refer tothe same or like parts.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary layout of a semiconductorchip C1 of a semiconductor apparatus consistent with various exemplaryaspect of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, chip C1 includes aplurality of memory banks BANK0_A through BANK7_A. Chip C1 also includeschip operation logic circuits 110 and 120 associated with the operationof the memory banks BANK0_A through BANK7_A. Chip operation logiccircuits 110 and 120 may be disposed laterally of the memory banksBANK0_A through BANK7_A, as shown in FIG. 2. In various exemplaryembodiments, chip operation logic circuits 110 and 120 may include, butnot be limited to, repair circuits for the memory banks BANK0_A throughBANK7_A and logic circuits for TSV connections.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a probe test logic circuit130 is disposed laterally of the chip operation logic circuits 110 and120. Probe test logic circuit 130 refers to, for example, a circuit forenabling a probe test when the chip constituting the semiconductorapparatus is placed on a wafer. The probe test includes various types oftests such as, for example, but not limited to, an internal bias testand a memory cell repair test. Accordingly, probe test logic circuit 130may be provided with data pads 0 through 15, voltage pads, etc.

Memory banks BANK0_A through BANK7_A and chip operation logic circuits110 and 120 are surrounded by scribe lanes Scribe Lane. The scribe lanesScribe Lane serve as cutting portions for separating chip C1 from otherchips placed on the wafer.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, probetest logic circuit 130 may serve as a cutting portion (e.g., a scribelane Scribe Lane_p) for separating chip C1 from a neighboring chip aftera probe test is performed.

As mentioned above, a three-dimensional semiconductor apparatus includesa plurality of chips stacked vertically, and the electrical connectionbetween the stacked chips is effected by means of TSVs. Accordingly, allthe stacked chips may not need to have logic circuits for ensuring thenormal operation of the semiconductor apparatus. When the plurality ofchips are packaged into a single semiconductor apparatus, it may besufficient to provide a logic circuit for ensuring the normal operationto only a master chip, and each of slave chips can be provided only witha memory bank for storing data and minimum logic circuits capable ofcommunicating with the master chip. Thus, each slave chip may include,among other things, one or more TSVs connected to the master chip, alogic circuit for controlling the TSVs, and a fuse circuit for repairinga defective cell of a memory bank. But, probe test logic circuit 130that includes pads may not be needed in the slave chips.

However, when the chips are manufactured, a probe test logic circuitincluding the pads should be provided on the wafer so as to enable aprobe test for securing the reliability of the chips. Therefore, invarious exemplary embodiments of the invention, probe test logic circuit130 is disposed in scribe lane Scribe Lane_p so that probe test logiccircuit 130 can be removed after the probe test is conducted. This mayeffectively increase the total number of chips that can be placed on awafer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating another exemplary layout of achip of a semiconductor apparatus consistent with various exemplaryaspects of the invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a firstchip C1 and a second chip C2 share a probe test logic circuit 250.

First chip C1 may include a plurality of memory banks BANK0_A throughBANK7_A and first chip operation logic circuits 210 and 220, which areassociated with the operation of first chip C1. Similarly, second chipC2 may include a plurality of memory banks BANK0_B through BANK7_B andsecond chip operation logic circuits 230 and 240, which are associatedwith the operation of second chip C2. Probe test logic circuit 250 isdisposed between first and second chips C1 and C2 adjacent to first chipoperation logic circuits 210 and 220 and second chip operation logiccircuits 230 and 240. After a probe test is completed, probe test logiccircuit 250 may serve as a cutting portion (e.g., a scribe lane ScribeLane_p) for separating first chip C1 and second chip C2 from oneanother. Other scribe lanes Scribe Lane are formed to surround first andsecond chips C1 and C2, as shown in FIG. 3. Scribe lanes Scribe Laneserve as cutting portions for separating first and second chips C1 andC2 from other neighboring chips.

Probe test logic circuit 250 can perform a probe test for both first andsecond chips C1 and C2. That is, probe test logic circuit 250 can beshared by both first and second chips C1 and C2 during a probe test.

According to one exemplary aspect, memory banks BANK0_A through BANK7_Aof first chip C1 and memory banks BANK0_B through BANK7_B of second chipC2 may be disposed at topologically opposite positions from one another(e.g., mirror structures). More specifically, first memory bank BANK0_Bof second chip C2 may be disposed at a position corresponding to aposition where first memory bank BANK0_A of first chip C1 would bedisposed when first chip C1 is rotated by 180° with respect to themidpoint of the plane separating first and second chips C1 and C2.Similarly, memory banks BANK1_B through BANK7_B of second chip C2 may bedisposed at positions corresponding to positions where memory banksBANK0_A through BANK7_A of first chip C1 would be disposed when firstchip C1 is rotated by 180°. When first chip C1 and second chip C2 shareprobe test logic circuit 250, placing the respective memory banks offirst and second chips C1 and C2 in a topologically opposite positionsfrom one another may further increase the percentage of acquiringgood-quality products.

Accordingly, the electrical connection between memory banks BANK0_Athrough BANK7_A of first chip C1 and probe test logic circuit 250 may belogically opposite to the electrical connection between memory banksBANK0_B through BANK7_B of second chip C2 and probe test logic circuit250. For example, assuming that first through fourth pads (0-3), fifththrough eighth pads (4-7), ninth through twelfth pads (8-11), andthirteenth through sixteenth pads (12-15) are provided for a probe testas shown in, for example, FIG. 3, first and fifth memory banks BANK0_Aand BANK4_A of first chip C1 can be electrically connected sequentiallyto first through fourth pads 0 through 3, and first and fifth memorybanks BANK0_B and BANK4_B of second chip C2 can be electricallyconnected sequentially to sixteenth through thirteenth pads 15 through12. Similarly, second and sixth memory banks BANK1_A and BANK5_A offirst chip C1 can be electrically connected sequentially to fifththrough eighth pads 4 through 7, and second and sixth memory banksBANK0_B and BANK5_B of second chip C2 can be electrically connectedsequentially to twelfth through ninth pads 11 through 8. Further, thirdand seventh memory banks BANK2_A and BANK6_A of first chip C1 can beelectrically connected sequentially to ninth through twelfth pads 8through 11, and third and seventh memory banks BANK2_B and BANK6_B ofsecond chip C2 can be electrically connected sequentially to eighththrough fifth pads 7 through 4. Fourth and eighth memory banks BANK3_Aand BANK7_A of first chip C1 can be electrically connected sequentiallyto thirteenth through sixteenth pads 12 through 15, and fourth andeighth memory banks BANK3_B and BANK7_B of second chip C2 can beelectrically connected sequentially to fourth through first pads 3through 0.

With the above-described electrical connections, the respective memorybanks of first chip C1 and second chip C2 can have the mirrorstructures. Accordingly, even though first chip C1 and second chip C2share probe test logic circuit 250, they can be manufactured as chipshaving the same structure. Thus, when chips are disposed on a wafer in amanner consistent with the present disclosure, it would be possible tomanufacture the chips having the identical configuration.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart explaining an exemplary method of probe testing asemiconductor apparatus according to various aspects of the invention.The exemplary probe testing method will be described herein withreference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

First, first chip C1 is activated in response to a first chip selectsignal, and a probe test of the first chip C1 is performed. Memory banksBANK0_A through BANK7_A of first chip C1 are connected to first throughsixteenth pads 0 through 15 so that the probe test can be performed.When the probe test of first chip C1 is completed, second chip C2 isactivated in response to a second chip select signal, and a probe testof the second chip C2 is performed. Memory banks BANK0_B through BANK7_Bof second chip C2 are connected to sixteenth through first pads 15through 0 so that the probe test can be performed. The first and secondchip select signals may be signals generated from command signalsapplied from an external source.

When the probe tests of first and second chips C1 and C2 are completed,a repair step may be performed on first chip C1 depending on the probetest results of first chip C1. The logic circuit associated with therepair step may be included in first chip operation logic circuits 210and 220 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3. During the repair step, theinternal voltage of first chip C1 may be corrected. Alternatively oradditionally, a repair operation for repairing a defective memory cellmay be performed during the repair step. In some embodiments, the repairoperation can be performed by cutting a fuse circuit included in firstchip operation logic circuits 210 and 220.

When the repair step of first chip C1 is completed, a repair step ofsecond chip C2 may be performed. Similarly to first chip C1, the logiccircuit associated with the repair step of second chip C2 may beincluded in second chip operation logic circuits 230 and 240 shown inthe embodiment of FIG. 3.

According to one aspect of the invention, the probe tests of first andsecond chips C1 and C2 may be conducted prior to performing the repairstep of first and second chips C1 and C2. This arrangement may bebeneficial because the cost and time required to set up and use thenecessary test equipments for detecting through the probe tests and forconducting the repair step could be significant.

When the repair step of first and second chips C1 and C2 is completed,probe tests of first and second chips C1 and C2 can be performed again.The first probe tests of first and second chips C1 and C2 may beperformed to analyze defect information of first and second chips C1 andC2, and the second probe tests of first and second chips C1 and C2 maybe performed to confirm whether the repair step of first and secondchips C1 and C2 has been properly carried out.

When the second probe tests are completed, probe test logic circuit 250used for the probe tests may be removed as the scribe lane ScribeLane_p, and first and second chips C1 and C2 become separated. Sincefirst and second chips C1 and C2 have the identical physicalconfiguration, it would not be necessary to sort the chips whenpackaging the chips.

Throughout the description, including in the claims, the term“comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with the term“comprising at least one” unless otherwise specified to the contrary.

While certain embodiments have been described above with reference toillustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should beunderstood that the embodiments described are by way of example only.Those skilled in the art with access to the teachings provided in thisdisclosure will recognize additional modifications, applications, and/orembodiments and additional fields in which the present disclosure wouldbe of significant utility. Accordingly, the disclosed semiconductorapparatus and the related probe test method described herein should notbe limited to the described embodiments. Rather, they should only belimited in light of the claims that follow when taken in conjunctionwith the above description and accompanying drawings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor apparatus comprising: a firstchip having a first to mth memory banks, wherein m is a natural numberequal or greater than 2; a second chip having a first to mth memorybanks; a scribe lane disposed between the first and second chips; and aprobe test logic circuit for probe testing both the first and secondchips, wherein the probe test logic circuit is disposed on the scribelane; a probe pad having a first to nth probe pads, wherein n is naturalnumber equal or greater than 2; wherein the scribe lane and the probetest logic circuit disposed on the scribe lane are removed after theprobe tests are completed; wherein the first to mth memory banks of thefirst chip are sequentially electrically connected with the first to nthprobe pads, and the first to mth memory banks of the second chip aresequentially electrically connected with the nth to the first probepads.
 2. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thefirst chip comprises a first chip operation logic circuit associatedwith operation of the first to mth memory banks.
 3. The semiconductorapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first chip operation logiccircuit comprises a repair circuit for at least one of the memory banks.4. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the firstchip operation logic circuit comprises a logic circuit for TSVconnection of the first chip.
 5. The semiconductor apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the second chip comprises a second chip operationlogic circuit associated with operation of the first to mth memorybanks.
 6. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 5, wherein thesecond chip operation logic circuit comprises a repair circuit for atleast one of the memory banks.
 7. The semiconductor apparatus accordingto claim 5, wherein the second chip operation logic circuit comprises alogic circuit for TSV connection of the second chip.
 8. Thesemiconductor apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the repair circuitand the logic circuit of the first chip and the repair circuit and thelogic circuit of the second chip are disposed adjacent to the probe testlogic circuit.
 9. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 5,wherein a disposing sequence of the first to mth memory banks of thefirst chip is topologically opposite to a disposing sequence of thefirst to mth memory banks of the second chip.
 10. A semiconductorapparatus comprising: a first chip having a plurality of memory banks; asecond chip having a plurality of memory banks; a scribe lane disposedbetween the first and second chips; and a probe test logic circuit forprobe testing both the first and second chips, wherein the probe testlogic circuit is disposed on the scribe lane; wherein the scribe laneand the probe test logic circuit disposed on the scribe lane are removedafter the probe tests are completed; wherein a disposing sequence of theplurality of memory banks of the first chip is topologically opposite toa disposing sequence of the plurality of memory banks of the secondchip.
 11. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 10, wherein thefirst chip further comprises a first chip operation logic circuitassociated with operation of the plurality of memory banks of the firstchip.
 12. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thefirst chip operation logic circuit comprises a repair circuit for atleast one of the memory banks of the first chip.
 13. The semiconductorapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first chip operation logiccircuit comprises a logic circuit for TSV connection of the first chip.14. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thesecond chip further comprises a second chip operation logic circuitassociated with operation of the plurality of memory banks of the secondchip.
 15. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 14, wherein thesecond chip operation logic circuit comprises a repair circuit for atleast one of the memory banks of the second chip.
 16. The semiconductorapparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second chip operation logiccircuit comprises a logic circuit for TSV connection of the second chip.17. The semiconductor apparatus according to claim 10, whereinelectrical connection between the first chip and the probe test logiccircuit is logically opposite to electrical connection between thesecond chip and the probe test logic circuit.